News for Immediate Release
Nov. 19, 2014
Harrisburg – The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for December 2014:
UnCommon Modern: A Pennsylvania Glossary of Midcentury Architecture:
The State Museum of Pennsylvania opens a new photography exhibit, “UnCommon Modern: A Pennsylvania Glossary of Midcentury Architecture.” This unique exhibit features color documentary photographs taken by Betsy Manning, a Philadelphia-area photojournalist. Each photograph depicts buildings and designs from across the commonwealth that reflect Midcentury Modern influences. The exhibit runs through April 26, 2015.
The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society: 35th Annual International Juried Exhibition: Come explore the 35th anniversary edition of The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition. Pieces are selected from artists from Pennsylvania and around the country. The Pennsylvania Watercolor Society is a non-profit society founded in 1979 in a back room of the State Museum and dedicated to encouraging, promoting and advancing watercolor with artists and the public. Open through Feb. 8, 2015.
A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson: This exhibit features bird prints and first-edition volumes of the 200 year-old “American Ornithology” series by Wilson, who is considered the father of American ornithology. Also featured are a number of bird specimens from the museum’s Botany and Zoology collections, some of which date to the late 19th century. The specimens underscore the museum’s historic and continuing role in the study of Pennsylvania’s flora and fauna. This exhibit runs through March 15, 2015.
Happy Noon Year’s Celebration: Bring the children and join the museum staff in ringing in the New Year from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31. During the celebration, you’ll enjoy story time with a reading from “Come Back, Moon” written by Newberry Honor Medalist David Kherdian, see the new planetarium show Earth, Moon, and Sun, build a mobile of the solar system, create your own out-of-this-world party headband and play the musical solar system game. Be sure to gather in Memorial Hall for the countdown to noon with noisemakers and a balloon surprise. Happy Noon Year’s is free with general admission to the museum.
Learn@Lunchtime and 3rd in the BURG: Need some last minute stocking stuffers? Visit The Museum Store from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18 for special discounts. Join Museum Educator Cherie Trimble at noon for a tour of the Transportation and Industry gallery. Explore how machines have changed over time to advance Pennsylvania and the nation. Admission to the museum is free during the hours of the event.
Free Days at The State Museum in December: During December, museum will offer two free general admission days:
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Pennsylvania Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Network (PAIRWN) will celebrate a “World of Differences” bringing women together for leadership and fellowship. This event will be held in Memorial Hall.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, the museum will host a Christmas holiday celebration sponsored by Nathaniel Gadsden's Writers Wordshop, Life Esteem Inc., and Imani A.C.C. Fellowship. The program will feature vendors, entertainment, gift giveaways, arts & crafts and speakers. For more information on this event contact Rev. Nathaniel Gadsden at (717) 608-2312 or pgadsden@aol.com. Museum admission is free for both event days.
The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The Planetarium is offering two shows Dec. 3, 2014 through March 1, 2015:
“Earth, Moon, & Sun” (grade 1 through 5): Coyote has razor-sharp wit, but he’s a little confused about what he’s seeing in the sky. In his quest for answers, this amusing character, adapted from American Indian oral traditions, will help audiences discover the truth behind many common astronomical misconceptions. This delightful, humorous production tackles some of the most baffling concepts associated with the Earth-Moon-Sun system including: eclipses, lunar phases, the seasonal changing of constellations and the physical nature of the sun and the moon. This production is from the University of North Carolina Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.
11 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday
“Back to the Moon for Good” (grade 4 and up): Narrated by Tim Allen, immerse yourself in a race to return to the moon 40 years after the historic Apollo landings. See how a competition among privately funded international teams is ushering in a new era of lunar exploration. Learn about the moon’s resources and discover what could be in store for humanity’s future on Earth’s only natural satellite. Back to the Moon for Good presents the Google Lunar XPRIZE, and the personal stories of competition and collaboration it inspires.
12 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission; free to State Museum Affiliate Members and Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Members.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 25 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History®. The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania’s fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary era, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the Commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America’s story.
Museum hours are Wed. through Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults (ages 12-64), $6 for senior citizens (ages 65 and up), and $5 for children (ages 1-11).
The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas and Jan. 1, 2015 for New Year’s Day.
For more information about the museum, visit www.statemuseumpa.org.
Media contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639
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